| Frequently Asked Questions |
[11 Dec 2007|10:02am] |
FAQ: Common terms used and what they mean
Pup: your pup is the character you play, or your “puppet.”
Mun: That’s you! The mundane person controlling the pup.
OOC: "Out Of Character"
LJ-Cut: when something is explicit, very long, or private, it is polite (andsometimes necessary) o put it behind a cut, which will hide the text and/or picture behind a link. To make an lj-cut, before the information you need to ‘hide’, you put the following code (without spaces) < l j - cut= “text to describe context goes here” >. After the text you want to hide, you put < / lj - cut>
Crackchat: A chatroom in AIM where muns can go to relax and get to know each other, and just be silly, discuss ongoing threads, share news, etc. Open to anyone and everyone in the game.
AIM: AOL Instant Messenger : recommended for players, but not strictly necessary. Having AIM makes it easier for other muns to contact you, and for you to join in the chat. It is free, and can be downloaded from the AOL website.
Y!M : Yahoo Messenger: another instant messaging program to help you keep in touch.
Ping: To ping someone, is to send them an instant message. People who are threading together will often ping each other to discuss what their pups are doing, or to let them know who’s turn it is.
IC: "In Character": when something is said IC-ly, you can assume that it is the character speaking, and not the mun.
Thread: A thread is the string of comments after an original post. If you have your pup tag another pup, they have started a thread, which will continue to it’s conclusion.
Tag: This can mean two different thing. To tag a thread or a post simply means that you have replied to a comment. A tag on the original post indicates which players are currently working on a thread, or tells something about the thread itself (i.e. , an NC17 rating).
FTB: "Fade To Black." When a thread comes to an end without a definitive conclusion, but the reader can guess how it ends. Many people who are not comfortable writing about sexual situations will FTB at the bedroom door, or something similar.
Slowtime: When a thread cannot be finished in a single session for whatever reasons, it moves into slowtime. This happens fairly often, because role play can take a lot of time, and people eventually need to sleep or tend to real life issues.
IRL: “In Real Life”
AU: "Alternate Universe" A deviation of your character from it's canon, for some reason. Technically, once your character is transported to Here, they are AU, because obviously this never happened to them in the course of their canon.
ICA=ICC: In Character Actions = In Character Consequences! If your character throws a rock at someone, you have to be prepared for that person to retaliate or react in some way. No one likes an omnipotent pup, either, so be realistic!
Godmodding - Godmodding or Godmoding can refers to any case where a player definitively describes the outcome of their own actions against another character or interactive object. It can also mean someone who acts like a god, and is omnipotent and invincible; generally no one likes this type of player (just a warning). It is only okay to godmod if you are in contact with the mun of the other pup or object being potentially affected by your pup, and they give the okay. The key to that is communication with the other mun, and arranging things like that OOC, during play. (i.e. - asking the other mun, "My pup wants to punch your pup in the face, is that cool?" Or "My pup is about to fall out of a tree, is it all right if she lands on you pup's head, and they both crash to the ground?" This can help the narrative to move along more smoothly, and is more enjoyable for the players involved.
NPC: "Non Player Character." An NPC is a background figure, or extraneous characters who only appear for a short time to further plot along, without actually being part of the game. Generally, you will need mod approval to use one, but it is acceptable to say things like, "the dining room was crowded with unfamiliar faces" or "There were others in the library, she asked a woman in an arm chair where the fiction section was, and was directed to the far bookshelf."
FAQ: General Questions
Can I transfer my pup from another game, into this one, as-is, with all of his/her role play canon in tact? YES! There are some rules, though. Firstly, once your character comes here, there will be no going back and forth...your pup must leave the other game for the entire time they are playing in this one. Also, it depends on whether or not the character you wish to transfer is already claimed by another player. Refer to the Cast List or Contact a Mod to make sure.
Can more than one pup come into at the same time, even if they are not both mine? Yes! As long as all pups involved have been approved for play, all you have to do is make sure that all pups are touching the Chaos Cube or another person touching it at the time it is solved, and they will all be transported together to Here.
How do I enter the game for the first time? A lot of people like to make a back story in their character’s journal, explaining a bit of what their life was like before they entered play. That is then linked to the first entrance post, which can then begin from the point that they arrive in Here. If you are ready to play, and still aren’t sure, feel free to ping a mod and ask for help! That is what they are there for!
How do I get people to tag my posts? Make sure that it is absolutely clear that your character would welcome company, and that they are in a place within the game’s landscape where they are accessible. You can also use crackchat to your advantage by going in and saying, “Hey! I have an untagged pup in; anyone want to play with me?” No one gets tagged every single time, or right away, so be persistent! Also, using correct grammar and punctuation can be a big draw—people will not want to play with you if they have to decipher what the other’s pup is trying to say.
Can I bring in a AU character from my chosen canon? We won't stop you, but we discourage it. If your pup is AU at the time that they enter the game, it must be clearly stated in their user info, along with exactly how and why they are not acting according to their canon. Keep in mind that your other canon-mates who are NOT AU may not be comfortable playing with you. The choice is yours, along with it's consequences.
Can I change my pup’s living quarters or situation? Absolutely! If your pup wants to move in with another one, that is fine! If they feel the urge to rearrange the furniture, go right ahead! As long as it doesn’t affect any of the other players without their consent, it is fine. When in doubt, however, ping or email a mod!
What are the IC rules of The Residence? There is a large plaque at the reception desk, and in it, the rules of conduct are engraved:
Rules of Here
Respect the other residents and their privacy.
There may be no violence toward others.
Rules will be enforced by The Management. Thank you.
Any other conduct is each resident's own responsibility to monitor.
How can my pup contact other pups when they are not around, or relay messages to the general populace? There is a large bulletin board in the lobby, near the elevator bank, where people can post messages for each other (no mod approval is necessary for this). Occasionally, The Manager will also post messages when he thinks the general population of residents need to know about an event of some sort. In this case, it will be posted in both the man comm, and the ooc com.
Can my pup alter the landscape if they want to (Plant a garden, build a tree house, etc.)? Not out of the question, but subject to mod approval, first. There will be no building of alternate housing on the grounds without a good reason (Pup is too large for room, has IC/canon psychological illness that doesn't abide living in the Residence for some reason). The mods must be apprised of the situation before any action is taken to seek housing outside of the Residence, and plans for alternate housing must be mod-approved before any actions are taken IC-ly.
Can my pup experience strange things around The Residence, or out on the grounds? Within reason. Strange noises, or not being quite sure they saw something out of the corner of their eye, or having the feeling of being watched are all fine, but be aware of the NPC rules, and rules about modifying the grounds in any way without modly approval.
Can my pup leave if they want to? Yes, and no. There is no easy way for your pup to leave HERE...they would have to go on a search for all the missing pieces of the Chaos Cube scattered around Here) and solve it again, to be transported home. Now, if the person wanted to do so, they could call a meeting of friends and/or residents, and ask for their help in gathering the pieces, or pleading with anyone for pieces they've found. Pups with powers that would ordinarily let them teleport (or otherwise move) them out of Here, will find that their powers don't work that way in Here. They may get as far as the boundaries of Here, but no further.
What if someone abandons the game without going through the proper steps to remove their pup IC-ly? Mwahahaha! Firstly, the mods would try to contact the mun, and come to an agreement of some sort. If that does not work, pups that are abandoned without proper IC death or Chaos Cube exit will be forfeit for the mods to do with as they wish, either making mention of them dying, just plain disappearing, or being eaten by Oompa Loompas.
What if I need a leave of absence, or a hiatus? Will I lose my pups? No! Not as long as you have emailed a mod (a note in the OOC comm is polite, as well) and explained that you will be absent from the game for an extended period of time. If you are going to be gone longer that you told the mods you would be, you need to make some sort of contact to let them know that you have not abandoned your pup. IC-ly, you could send your pup on a quest to find the Cube pieces, or to look for a way out of Here, etc. to explain their prolonged absence.
Who, or what, is The Manager? No one is really sure. There doesn't seem to be anyone to ask. The Tube that residents use to ask questions of The Manager disappears into a ceiling, with no discernible destination...though feel free to have your pups investigate this. Any interactions with The Manager must involve a mod or have mod approval - just email or ping one when you are ready, and one of them will help you ASAP.
My pup has been injured or is ill! What do I do? OOC, you can find out if anyone's pup has medical training, or can heal magically, and approach their mun for IC aid. They can also appeal to The Manager, who may have a solution. Ping a mod, if interaction with The Manager is required.
How does my pup appeal to The Manager, or ask questions? IC, There is a brass tube from floor to ceiling at the reception desk --it has a hollow capsule with a pad of paper and a pen near it. There is a small brass plaque on the wall by the tube that reads: Ask The Manager. It may take a little figuring out, but a smart pup will write down their question or concerns, and put the paper in the capsule, then put the capsule in the tube. It works much the same as the drive through window at the bank; the answer will be returned to you while you wait. It may not be the answer you want, but you will receive some answer. OOC, you might want to nudge a mod when your character uses the tube, so that your pup isn't waiting an undue time for a reply.
Who takes care of The Residence, stables, recreations areas, etc? That is a mystery! Residents who leave their room for any length of time will find that it has been cleaned, right down to the laundry and restocking of groceries, when they return, no matter how short a time they have been gone. Feel free to have fun with this fact, and have your pup 'tease' the mystery system (no mod approval needed). The same is true for the rest of Here.
My pup didn't bring a suitcase; how do they change their clothes and such? Your pup may visit The Boutique - a room in the basement with hundreds of racks of various styles of clothing in various sizes. There is no money needed here, so have your pup choose what they like, and take it 'home' with them. They need never wear the same thing twice, if they don't want.
My pup needs things that he can't get through The Manager or the Boutique! What do I do?
You contact Manny! Your friendly one-stop bargaining guy.
What kinds of books are in the library? Mostly books for enjoyment, though there are some educational texts available. Only books published with a pup's lifetime on their world will be able to be read by them. If a pup picks up a book published from outside his lifetime, or from another world, the pages will appear blank. There are periodicals available for viewing on the computers, from several different worlds, in many different languages. A retinal scan will dictate what material your pup is able to access, so they do not learn anything they should not know about the future of their own world. No one is sure how it works, but it does. NOTE: If a book was published outside of your pup's lifetime, or is from another world, but your pup has already read it, for whatever reason, then the book will be visible to them.
My pup wants to eat at the restaurant, or drink at the bar. With no staff in evidence, how do they order? There are menus at the tables and bar. Your pup should decide what they would like to eat (use your imagination, you do not need mod approval for the types of food and drink available) and place their order with the table or the bar, and their order will appear in about the same amount of time it would take at a good restaurant. Empty dinner plates will be 'removed' when dessert is ordered, or when all of the diners leave the table. If a pup wants to take a meal back to their suite, or our onto the grounds or anywhere other than the restaurant, they should still order with a table or bar, but specify that the order is 'to go.' The food will appear in portable containers, in a bag or basket. The Suites' cupboards and refrigerator/freezer are supplied/refilled with groceries at the same time the room is cleaned (when a resident leaves his or her room), but the meals DO NOT make themselves, nor does anything appear out of thin air while a person is waiting/watching/wishing or requesting it. If your pup wants prepared food in their suite, they must prepare it themselves, or bring it back from a restaurant or bar.
One of the other pups has threatened my pup, or is scary in some way! Is there a security team around they can go to for help? Not as such, no. Complaints can be taken up in writing with The Manager, and there may be some form of intervention. Each mun needs to remember that ICA=ICC, and if they break the rules, then they are subject to punishment of some sort.
Is there a way to NOT have 'housekeeping' services for my room? Yes! Simply have your pup hang the handy, ever present 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the doorknob (inside or out), and the room will be left as-is until the sign is removed. This means that the refrigerator and cupboards will slowly be depleted of food, the laundry will not be done, the dishes will not be washed and put away, etc. It is not a selective process - so be sure your pup is willing to live without these things for as long as the sign is hanging.
Are there any other living things in Here? Yes! There are birds and fish and flora and fauna...many your pups might think they recognise at first sight (rabbits, deer, birds, etc.), but which might be slightly different upon closer inspection. For instance, your pup might spot a robin, then notice that it has teeth, or a deer that has one or two eyes too many and paws instead of hooves, rabbits that move like cats--use your imagination!
When should I or can I ping a mod? Whenever you see one online and have a question or concern that you cannot find an answer to in the rules or FAQ. The mods are in place to help make this game an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. They are just people like you, who love to role play and want everyone to have a good time. Don’t be afraid of them!! DEFINITELY contact a mod if you have a serious conflict with another player, and they get verbally abusive or threatening with you. That sort of behavior will not be tolerated at any time. Do not engage in trading insults, unfriendly arguments, etc. it will only get both parties in trouble.
FAQ: Dealing with the mods and other players
I have a problem with another player. Do I need to contact a mod for mediation? When you have a problem with another player, your first step should always be to try to resolve it amongst yourselves. However we do understand that, for one reason or another, it is not always possible to resolve it yourselves, and in that case you should most certainly contact a mod.
Do I need to do anything special before I contact the mods? No, but we suggest that before contacting a mod, you sit down and answer these questions (in writing):
What is my complaint?
Who is my complaint about?
Have I contacted the person I have a problem with? If not, why?
What would I like the mod to do for me, exactly?
What do I hope that the outcome of mod intervention will be?
The purpose of writing these things down is because by doing so you are less likely to forget everything you want to say, and all the points you want to make are in front of you in case emotions begin to run hot.
How is mediation handled by the mods? Mediation, or any type of action concerning a player, will take place in a chat room created specifically for that purpose. All parties will be invited to join the chat and at least one mod will be there as well. Each person with a complaint will need to state their case clearly and concisely in an inoffensive manner. The mods' goal will be to hear both sides of the argument and try to come up with a fair, amicable solution for everyone.
Each party invited to the chat would be allowed to invite a "witness" to the mediation, to offer support, but there will be NO "ganging up" allowed – on or by either party OR the mod(s).
Can I make a complaint about another player, and remain anonymous? If you make a completely anonymous complaint (through the suggestion box or some other way) you can not expect that complaint or accusation to be fully resolved. It is almost impossible to resolve a problem unless we are able to fully investigate. This is difficult unless we know who to talk to in order to get the whole picture. It is a better idea to contact a mod personally and let us try to mediate. Another option is coming to the mods and asking them to approach the other player for you, while keeping your name out of it. However you must to ask yourself why you feel it necessary to be anonymous and be able to explain that to the mod before we will agree to help you. Although we will always do our best to keep things non-confrontational, complaining just to complain is Not Cool.
What if I have a problem with a mod, or a complaint about a mod? If your problem is with the mod as a player, and not because his or her mod duties, then the mod should be treated as any other player would: try to work it out amongst yourselves, and if that doesn't work, come to another mod for mediation. Also note that a mod should Never, Ever use his or her modly power to settle a personal problem. If you feel this is occurring, contact another mod immediately.
If it is a question of modly decisions or a disagreement with a modly action, then you may make a complaint in the suggestion box, or to another mod.
And always keep in mind that the mods are just people, too, and we all want everyone to have a good time, and get along well in the game.
Do all the rules apply to the mods and the mods' friends? Absolutely. It is not fair for someone to be treated differently because they're a mod or because they are friends with a mod; if that happens it ruins the game for everyone. If you feel someone is getting special treatment please contact a mod, or at least leave a comment in the suggestion box, and it will be dealt with.
I have a problem with a mod decision. Is there any sort of appeal system? You are most certainly able, even encouraged, to tell the mods that you don't like their decision, especially if you have a logical reason for not agreeing with it. We will always listen to logic. And if your logic makes sense to us then we might even retract the decision. But, in the end, mod decisions are Final. If you come to us, argue your case and we still stick with our original decision then that's the end. If you go directly against a mod decision then you will, as stated in the rules, be banned. However we do not want it to come to that. We are usually pretty agreeable and reasonable people and will do our very best to come to a compromise that suits all parties involved.
Lastly - the mods are going to endeavor to hold a monthly "check up" chat, where players (or prospective players) can join and ask general questions, or clear up points that they are unsure about. It should be a casual occasion that will hopefully make you feel more comfortable approaching the mods for both play and modly issues. If you feel that one of these chats is needed, and has not been announced, feel free to ping a mod and suggest one.
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